COMMENTARY: What’s a first sergeant?

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Charles "Chuck" Williams
  • 100th Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  "I may be the first sergeant, but I'm not the only sergeant," is the mantra that I live by as a first sergeant.

I use this phrase to remind my senior NCOs, NCOs and Airmen that I don't have super powers, and I received the majority of my training for the first sergeant position as I grew through the ranks.

The supervisors I have encountered in my Air Force career always challenged me to answer my own questions and take the initiative to tackle my own problems before they become public knowledge and someone else's problem.

I recently had a conversation with a young Airman. He asked me, "What exactly does a first sergeant do?" I explained to the Airman that I'm an enabler.

The young Airman looked at me puzzled and confused, so I explained I may not know when an Airman has an issue but I am here to offer assistance after the supervisor and Airman have attempted to tackle the issue. I shouldn't be the first person called; I should be one of the last.

For me, Chief Master Sgt. Ken Van Holbeck, former Air Mobility Command command chief best explained what a first sergeant is during a speech in February 2000.

"First sergeants are a source of assistance to help their enlisted people solve their own problems. They are not required to solve their troops' problems for them," Van Holbeck said.

As a first sergeant, I'm trying to mold replacements for myself. My goal is to create strong, independent Airmen who will grow into strong, resilient NCOs and senior NCOs, not Airmen who are dependent on me to fix every little issue for them.

At times, there may be certain issues an Airman and his/her supervisor may not have the ability or the experience to handle. This is the exact reason for my position - I am here to offer help during these times.

In today's instant gratification world, some people expect things to be laid out for them in a specific order to help them succeed, but if I'm the only one with the answers, what will you do when I'm gone?

By working issues through with your supervisor I enable you and your supervisor to grow.

As a first sergeant, I have no super powers or special abilities. However, I always have time to mold tomorrow's leaders by enabling them to work through their own issues.